Mine-ventilating system.



D.- R. MARTIN. MINE VBNTILATIN G SYSTEM.

APPLICATION IILED DEO. 6, 1909.

Patented July 12,1910.

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DAVID R. MARTIN, OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA.

MINE-VENTILATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led December 6, 1909.

Patented July 12, 1910. Serial No. 531,536.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID R. MARTIN, a

lcitizen of the United States, and a resident of Opelika, in the county of Lee and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mine-Ventilating Systems, of which the following is a full and clear specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which is represented a vertical section of a portion of a mine, showing the application thereto of a system embodying my invention.

This invention is designed to provide a simple system of air conduits and air-locks whereby all the tunnels or levels in the mine may be thoroughly ventilated and whereby also each tunnel or level will be converted into an independent working unit to the extent that any one 0f them may be cut off entirely from the Ventilating system and the main shaft should a re occur therein or where for any other reason that particular level or tunnel is not workable, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing c designates the shaft which of course in practice will be provided with the usual elevating mechanism, and o the tunnels or levels extending laterally from the shaft at different points and dierent levels. At the entrance of each tunnel vor lateral is erected a wall c, which is practically air tight, and extending through each wall is an air conduit d which at its outer end communicates with the main shaft and at its inner end with the far end of the tunnel.

An entrance for operatives and cars is provided in each wall c, this entrance consisting of an air lock c of suitable construction, preferably consisting of a casing provided at its inner as well as its outer end with a vertically sliding door f whereby the doors may be opened and closed to permit cars and men to pass in and out of the tunnel without materially interfering with the direction of the air currents.

Extending down into the main shaft is .an air conduit g whose upper end is carried up into the air a suitable distance to form a stack and is provided with a rotary fan 7L or other means for providing an upward current of air through the conduit. At each level or tunnel this main conduit is provided with a branch z' which extends in through the wall o and puts the conduit g into cornmunication with the interior of the tunnel at a point alongside the tunnel conduit el. It will be observed that when a draft is created up through conduit g the air in the main shaft a will be drawn downwardly from the outer atmosphere, thence into the far ends of the tunnels through conduits Z and thence outwardly along the full lengths of the tunnels through the entrances or branches c'. A

It will be understood that the walls c are sufficiently air tight to cause the bulk of the airto be drawn in through the conduits (Z. In this way the main shaft and each of the tunnels throughout its length will be continuously supplied with an ample quantity of fresh air and it will be observed also that each tunnel is independent of every other tunnel in the mine in that an interruption in any one tunnel by a re or other catastrophe or condition will not interfere with the ventilation and work in the other tunnels. If desired each of the conduits d and each branch z' may be provided with dampers j and lc respectively in order that in case a tunnel is abandoned or for other reasons is not being worked that tunnel may be entirely cut od from the Ventilating sys teni and the main shaft. Furthermore each conduit ol may if desired be supplied with an independent fan'Z to create a stronger current of air in any tunnel where for one reason or another a greater Ventilating capacity is required; this provision will be especially advantageous where there is an excessive quantity of gas in the tunnel and where smoke from a fire has collected. It is of course understood that the air conduits, air locks, and air-walls o are preferably constructed of fire proof materials.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a mine Ventilating system, a wall extending across the entrance of each lateral tunnel, an air inlet in this wall connected with a conduit extending to the far end of the tunnel, a door-way in this wall, an air conduit extending down into the main shaft and provided with a branch extending in through each of said walls and means for creating an upward current of air through said conduit.

2. In a mine Ventilating system, a wall extending across the entrance of each lateral tunnel, an air inlet in this wall connected with a conduit extending to the far end 0f the tunnel, a door-way in this Wall, an air conduit extending down into the main shaft and provided With a branch extending in through each of said Walls and means for creating an upward current of air through said conduit, each of said branches being provided With means for closing the same.

3. In a mine Ventilating system, a wall extending across the entrance of each lateral tunnel, an air inlet in this Wall connected with a. conduit extending to the far end of the tunnel, a door-Way in this Wall, an air conduit extending down into the main shaft and provided with a branch extending in through each of said Walls and means for creating an upvvard current of air through said conduit, said inwardly extending inlet conduit being provided with a damper and each of said branch conduits being provided With a damper.

Ll. In a mine Ventilating system, a Wall extending across the entrance of each lateral tunnel, an air inlet in this Wall connected with a conduit extending to the far end of the tunnel, a door-Way in this Wall, an air conduit extending down into the main shaft and provided With a branch extending in through each of said Walls and means for creating an upward current of air through said conduit, each of said door-Ways being provided with an air lock.

5. In a mine Ventilating system, a Wall extending across the entrance of each lateral tunnel, an air inlet in this Wall connected with a conduit extending to the far end of the tunnel, a door-Way in this Wall, an air conduit extending down into the main shaft andprovided with a branch extending in through each of said Walls and means for creating an upward current of air through said conduit, each of said inwardly extending conduits being provided With an independent air forcing means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of tivo Witnesses this 3rd day of December 1909.

DAVID It. MARTIN.

Vitnesses C. D. Davis, FRANCIS S. MAGUIRE. 

